Proverbs 1 · a question people ask

"I also will laugh at your disaster" (1:26). Does Wisdom laugh at people in trouble?

In the text

The words are Wisdom's (1:20), and the verse says it plainly: "I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you" (1:26) (tap laugh). The verses around it say when and why. When: "when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when your disaster comes on like a whirlwind" (1:27). Why: "Because I have called, and you have refused" (1:24), and "you have ignored all my counsel, and wanted none of my reproof" (1:25). And before any of it came her offer: "Turn at my reproof" (1:23). A psalm has the same two Hebrew verbs, laugh and mock, of "He who sits in the heavens" (Psalm 2:4), and those he laughs at are the kings and rulers who set themselves "against the LORD" (Psalm 2:2): "He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord will have them in derision" (Psalm 2:4). Proverbs also says, "Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished" (Proverbs 17:5); in Hebrew its mocks is the verb of 1:26's mock, and its calamity is the word of 1:26's disaster. And, "Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls" (Proverbs 24:17). The book holds all of these verses, and these notes don't say how they fit together. The chapter says 1:26 of those who refused Wisdom's call, and names no one; these notes don't apply it to anyone's troubles today.

The verses

“Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares.”
Proverbs 1:20 · World English Bible
“Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you. Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention; but you have ignored all my counsel, and wanted none of my reproof; I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you, when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when your disaster comes on like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come on you.”
Proverbs 1:23-27 · World English Bible
“The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his Anointed, saying,”
Psalm 2:2 · World English Bible
“He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord will have them in derision.”
Psalm 2:4 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Proverbs 1

Proverbs 1: The beginning of knowledge

The book's first line comes back inside Wisdom's speech: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge" (1:7), and those who refused her "hated knowledge, and didn’t choose the fear of the LORD" (1:29). And the men who say "Let’s lie in wait for blood" (1:11) "lay in wait for their own blood" (1:18), with the same Hebrew verbs.

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Proverbs 1

All questions about Proverbs →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions